police | ALXnow

JUST IN: Alexandria Police Mourn Loss of Parking Enforcement Officer to COVID-19

Published February 2, 2021 at 3:15PM | Updated February 3, 2021 at 1:01PM

Alexandria Police are mourning one of their own today, after releasing news that longtime Parking Enforcement Officer Edward Bonds passed away from COVID-19 complications on Thursday, Jan. 28.

“APD extends our heartfelt condolences to Bonds’ family, friends, and his coworkers with the Parking Enforcement Office,” Alexandria Police said in a release. “Coworkers say Bonds loved old school R&B music and loved to sing. They say he also loved playing the lottery and apparently, was lucky and good at it.”

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Police: Death Investigated Last Week Currently ‘Not Suspicious’

By Vernon Miles

Published January 28, 2021 at 3:30PM

There are few details released so far on the man’s body discovered in Holmes Run last week near Cameron Station, but police said the death does not appear suspicious and foul play is not currently suspected.

“[The incident] does not appear to be suspicious,” said Alexandria Police Department Senior Public Information Officer Amanda Paga.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published January 27, 2021 at 9:00AM

Beyer Rails Against Congressional Republicans — “I’m really sick of whining about ‘canceling’ from rich and powerful Republicans who tried to cancel our democracy.” [Twitter]

Deadline Extended for Landlords to Apply for Relief Program — The deadline for landlords to apply for the Rent and Mortgage Relief Program, to cover overdue rent or mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended to March 1. Applications that have not yet been submitted can now include requests to cover rent payments through February 2021. Previously submitted applications are also eligible to include rent due in February through a contract amendment process.” [City of Alexandria]

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The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Gave Away 40K Pounds of Food and Supplies in 2020

By James Cullum

Published January 26, 2021 at 1:15PM

After a marked increase in distribution events across the city, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria now reports that it gave away more than 40,000 pounds of pet food and supplies in 2020.

“We’ve had programs for years to support our neighbors and their pets,” said AWLA Director of Community Programs Joanna Fortin. “But in April or May of last year, requests for help really increased.”

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Police: Shots Fired in West End, Car Crash in Old Town Over Weekend

By James Cullum

Published January 25, 2021 at 10:45AM | Updated January 25, 2021 at 11:03AM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police reported another shots fired call for service over the weekend in the West End, and there was also a serious crash with four cars in Old Town that sent two men to the hospital.

The shooting is the third in Alexandria this month, and occurred at around 5 a.m. on Sunday morning in the 200 block of Century Place in the West End near Holmes Run. Multiple shell casings were found at the scene, but no one was reported injured.

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ALXnow’s Top Stories This Week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published January 22, 2021 at 3:30PM

It was a short, but news-filled week in Alexandria.

With Monday off in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we started the week running with a COVID-19 update. Cases of COVID-19 in the city now stand at 8,975 and fatalities are at 99. That’s an increase of three deaths and 165 cases since Tuesday, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

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Alexandria Police Investigate West End Hit and Runs

By James Cullum

Published January 22, 2021 at 11:30AM

Alexandria Police are investigating a series of hit-and-runs that damaged cars in the West End last month.

On Dec. 13 at around 11:15 p.m., Alexandria police responded to the area of N. Van Dorn Street and Sanger Avenue in the West End in reference to a motor vehicle crash.

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BREAKING: Body Found in the Water Near Cameron Station

By Vernon Miles

Published January 22, 2021 at 10:40AM | Updated January 22, 2021 at 12:32PM

Alexandria Police investigate the area of Holmes Run has been shut down after a body was found in the water on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Police are currently investigating a body discovered in the area of Homes Run Parkway near Cameron Station.

Alexandria Fire Department spokeswoman Raytevia Evans said that around 9:35 a.m. they received a call and dispatched an inland rescue unit for the report of a possible body in the water.

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BREAKING: Woman Gets Arm Amputated, Police Investigate if She Was Thrown From Car in West End

By James Cullum

Published January 21, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated January 21, 2021 at 5:23PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

Just after midnight on Dec. 21, Alexandria Police received a 911 call from a city resident saying that she could hear a woman screaming for help in the 2200 block of N. Van Dorn Street in the West End.

The woman in distress allegedly pulled out a knife when approached by police, and was then commanded to drop it. An officer used a TASER on the woman and she was placed in handcuffs, according to a search warrant affidavit.

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Poll: Are You Concerned About Gunfire in Alexandria?

By Vernon Miles

Published January 21, 2021 at 11:30AM

Police confirmed last week that roughly one-third of the the shootings last year were connected.

In 2020, Alexandria experienced an increase in shots fired calls with a total of 55 confirmed cases as compared to 37 in 2019. One-third of those occurred last fall, between September and December.

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City Council Endorses Police Review Board Option, Plan Going Out for Community Review

By James Cullum

Published January 20, 2021 at 4:45PM

The Alexandria City Council has chosen a hybrid approach as its preferred option for a Community Police Review Board. It’s a contentious move that, if approved next March, will allow independent civilian oversight over multiple aspects of the police department.

In a 4-3 vote last week, Council chose option “C” out of the four alternatives presented by staff. Each of the options will now be presented to the community in a two-month-long public feedback process that will ultimately lead to a council decision in March. The dissenting votes were cast by Mayor Justin Wilson, Councilwoman Amy Jackson and Councilwoman Del Pepper.